Page 85 of Sweet Little Spies

“I expect you to hide, too.” Sean Taggart put an arm aroundhis daughter and leaned over to brush a kiss over her forehead. “You find aplace to hide and wait for your cousins.”

“Or she’ll go to a conference and get childbirth mansplainedby a hundred obnoxious men who think they know more about it than theobstetrical resident.” Big Tag shook his head his brother’s way. “And don’tthink you’re sneaking on this plane. I’ve already got to deal with Adam. Ichecked his bags to make sure he didn’t stuff Jake into one of them. You knowthis is an Agency team not a family reunion.”

Carys frowned. “Actually, that sounds worse than potentiallygetting shot at.”

“No one’s getting shot at.” Tristan moved to the other sideof Carys. “This is a simple op. You’re going to be surrounded by people andyou’ll have eyes on you. My father and I are going to use the access I’ll havebecause I’m your bodyguard to try to get into Huisman’s personal systems. Hehas to have them, and I would bet anything it’s at his house. We get in, getwhat we need, and you enjoy the conference. Well, Aidan will. Carys will betreated like his arm candy.”

Carys wrinkled her nose and playfully elbowed Tris. “Againwith the more fun getting shot at.”

The door to the lounge opened, and Zach strode in. He wasn’talone. He had an arm around Devi Taggart’s shoulders, and those two were instep. Like there was nothing awkward about it. Like they’d been together foryears.

He hadn’t known they were together at all.

Big Tag’s brows rose. “Dude, did you not get thenot-a-family-reunion memo? You brought my niece to an Agency meeting? You knowshe’s not supposed to know who you work for.”

Zach’s arm didn’t move from its deeply possessive position.“Everyone knows, and every day with this team is a freaking family reunion.Devi gave me a ride.”

Carys cleared her throat. Likely because they were thinkingthe same thing. She sure had given him a ride. Probably more than one.

Kala had woken when her twin poked her as Zach walked in theroom. She and Kenz were both staring at the new couple like they couldn’t quitebelieve what they were seeing. Tasha had walked in from the hanger and her jawhad dropped, but Charlotte was grinning like she’d known it all along.

Only Tris didn’t look shocked. He looked grim. Like he wasworried.

“I just wanted to say hi, and y’all go and get whatever badguys need to be gotten.” Devi looked a lot like her mom but without ErinTaggart’s solemnity. When Devi smiled there was no darkness behind it.

Big Tag sighed and shook his head. “We’re leaving now. Zach,we’re going to have a talk.”

“I expected we would, sir.” Zach said the words with respectand a hint of trepidation, but then he kissed Devi like a starving man.

Kenzie was on her phone, texting like mad. Lou had put downher tablet and watched with wide eyes.

TJ was asleep. It fit perfectly with his personal brand. Hissister was getting happily mauled by an Army captain, and he was curled up onhis girlfriend’s lap catching some zzzs.

Devi pulled back. “Hey, don’t forget you were going to warnthem about the Tara person.”

Zach winced. “Yeah, uhm, we’re going to have to be carefulwith the twins because Tara’s already in Montreal. I’m sorry, Tris. I justfound out about it. Did she call you?”

Carys’s head swiveled, looking to Tris. “Tara?”

“She works as my technical assistant when I’m dealing withThe Jester missions.” Tris moved into her space. If it bothered him her fatherwas standing there, he didn’t show it. This was a more confident Tristan. Hecupped Carys’s face. “There’s no reason for any jealousy. She’s nothing but awoman I work with.”

“Oh, I wasn’t warning anyone because I was worried she wouldupset Carys.” Zach had Devi in a half hug like she was his teddy bear orsomething and he didn’t want to give her up. “I’ve worked with them both foryears. Nothing there but work. However, she doesn’t have clearance to knowabout the twins, so we need to be careful and make sure she’s not waiting atthe airport to give us a briefing. She said she’s already met with CSIS, andthey’re going to have an operative liaising while we’re in Canada.”

“It better not be Ben.” Kenzie stood and sighed. “Someonetell me when I have to hide. I hope she’s not there because I’ll have to hidein the stupid plane and get an Uber. A Canadian Uber.”

Kala stood. “Hey, if you get an Uber, you can stop at TimHorton’s. Dad won’t let us. There’s an upside.”

“It’s only because they didn’t have lemon donuts the lasttime, and now Dad won’t forgive an entire country,” Kenzie groused. “But you’reright. I’ll totally grab some donuts. And maybe stop and get some crêpes. Youknow, now I see the advantages.”

Tasha stared after her sisters. “Now she’s going to try tosight-see, and I’ll be the one who has to point out all the CCTV cameras andthat other intelligence agencies also know how to use logic and technology.Mom, maybe I should stay and make sure Uncle Alex and Uncle Li don’t burn downthe company.”

“I won’t burn anything down. You know I’ve been running thiscompany for a long time while your parents gallivant around the world,” his dapointed out.

“She’s trying to stay with Dare,” Charlotte explained,following her daughters. “He can’t go with us this time because he’s actuallyworking and not using his job as a cover. It’s refreshing. Come along. TJ, wakeup. Your sister’s being manhandled.”

“Am not,” Devi protested. “I mean not in a way I’m not happyabout.”

TJ yawned and sat up. “Is it time to go? Hey, sis. What areyou doing here?”

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